Alice Byrd, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend passed away on March 1, 2014. Alice Wilhelmina Anna Priesmeyer Byrd was born September 10. 1913 in Yoakum, Texas. Alice celebrated her 100th birthday this past September. Her parents Henry and Clara Priesmeyer owned a general store which became Priesmeyer's Department Store of Garwood, Texas. Alice and her brothers, Edward, Frederick, and William grew up working in all aspects of the store and for her her it was always an important part of her life.
In 1938, she moved to Houston, Texas where she attended business school and worked for Allis-Chalmers. In Houston she met a musician, William Byrd, whom she married in May of 1941. In 1945 Alice and Bill moved to Los Angeles, where Bill worked as a pianist, as well as arranging and voice coaching. In 1949 their son Richard was born. Alice found Los Angeles an exciting change and was active in church, school and Cub Scouts. In 1960 the Byrd family moved backed to Texas. Alice managed a branch of Priesmeyer's Department Store in Ganado, Texas from 1960 to 1963. They moved to Houston in 1964, but in 1966 Bill died suddenly.
In 1967, when her son started college, Alice moved to Sweeny, Texas, where she managed a branch of Priesmeyer's Department Store until 1980. There she was active in the Sweeny Presbyterian Church, where she was an elder. She was also active in the Chamber of Commerce, the Civic Club and the Library Board. After retirement she worked as a volunteer at West Brazos Cares, an organization providing clothing and food to needy families in the area. In 1979, she was named Women of the Year in Sweeny in recognition of her community service.
She was closely attached to all her family and was involved in the lives of all her nephews and nieces. She traveled often to Boulder to stay with her son Richard and his wife Faye and to be a hands-on grandmother to her grandsons Eric and Steven. In 1998, she moved to Boulder. There she attended First Presbyterian Church and volunteered in the Deacon's Closet, a provider of clothing and food to local families.
Alice was a cheerful and positive person, who seemed to always be busy and helping others. She got along well with everyone and almost never had a negative comment about anyone or anything. She was extremely devoted to both her immediate and extended family, and was beloved by everyone who knew her.
Alice is preceded in death by her husband William A. Byrd, her brothers Edward, Frederick and William, and her grandson Eric. She is survived by her son Richard, his wife Faye, their son Steven and his wife Carrie, as well as her sister-in-law Madeline and several nephews and nieces and their families.
In 1938, she moved to Houston, Texas where she attended business school and worked for Allis-Chalmers. In Houston she met a musician, William Byrd, whom she married in May of 1941. In 1945 Alice and Bill moved to Los Angeles, where Bill worked as a pianist, as well as arranging and voice coaching. In 1949 their son Richard was born. Alice found Los Angeles an exciting change and was active in church, school and Cub Scouts. In 1960 the Byrd family moved backed to Texas. Alice managed a branch of Priesmeyer's Department Store in Ganado, Texas from 1960 to 1963. They moved to Houston in 1964, but in 1966 Bill died suddenly.
In 1967, when her son started college, Alice moved to Sweeny, Texas, where she managed a branch of Priesmeyer's Department Store until 1980. There she was active in the Sweeny Presbyterian Church, where she was an elder. She was also active in the Chamber of Commerce, the Civic Club and the Library Board. After retirement she worked as a volunteer at West Brazos Cares, an organization providing clothing and food to needy families in the area. In 1979, she was named Women of the Year in Sweeny in recognition of her community service.
She was closely attached to all her family and was involved in the lives of all her nephews and nieces. She traveled often to Boulder to stay with her son Richard and his wife Faye and to be a hands-on grandmother to her grandsons Eric and Steven. In 1998, she moved to Boulder. There she attended First Presbyterian Church and volunteered in the Deacon's Closet, a provider of clothing and food to local families.
Alice was a cheerful and positive person, who seemed to always be busy and helping others. She got along well with everyone and almost never had a negative comment about anyone or anything. She was extremely devoted to both her immediate and extended family, and was beloved by everyone who knew her.
Alice is preceded in death by her husband William A. Byrd, her brothers Edward, Frederick and William, and her grandson Eric. She is survived by her son Richard, his wife Faye, their son Steven and his wife Carrie, as well as her sister-in-law Madeline and several nephews and nieces and their families.
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